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How Ducati bounced back to secure second in Race 2

Sunday, 9 August 2020 14:58 GMT

    • After appearing to struggle in Race 1 and the Tissot Superpole Race, Ducati secured a podium finish with Scott Redding

    After a best finish of seventh in Race 1 and fifth in the Tissot Superpole Race, ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati secured a stunning second place through Scott Redding as MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship action resumed at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve with the Motul Portuguese Round.

    Redding had to fight for nearly half the race against Michael van der Mark (PATA YAMAHA WorldSBK Official Team) as he secured second place; briefly falling behind the Dutch rider before a technical issue meant Redding got back in front to ensure Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) did not extend his lead to more than four points.

    Redding said: “It has been a difficult weekend and for this reason ending with a podium is a precious result for me and for the whole team. In the Superpole Race we were able to improve things compared to Saturday but it is clear that the feeling with the bike was not ideal. I tried to stay close to Rea to create a gap with the group behind but in the second part of the race, I struggled a lot especially with the front. When van der Mark got me I only thought about defending myself to conquer this result. I am happy for me and for the team. We go to Aragon with great conviction".

    Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) also had a strong Race 2 as he battled his way up from 13th on the grid to finished in fourth place, just four seconds behind the battling Redding and van der Mark. It was a huge contrast for Davies from Saturday when he was able to finish in 11th place, six seconds behind the nearest bike of Eugene Laverty (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team).

    Reacting to the positive Race 2 result, Davies said: “The goal is always to bring home a trophy, but I have to admit it was still a good race. I take this fourth place with satisfaction, especially after all the problems we had this weekend. Unfortunately, the contact with Laverty in the Superpole Race forced me to start from the fifth row and this didn't allow me to stay with the front group. The race pace, however, was very good and for this reason, I am satisfied. Now we move to Aragon for two days of testing. It will be an important opportunity to prepare for the next six races.”

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